DanjrusMcRynky Posted September 22, 2007 Share Posted September 22, 2007 I feel one of the main problem's with SCV post-1999 is that they can't seem to keep their staff members.Director changes, caption head replacements, new arrangers... (Koester, Jeff V, Adam Sage, Gusseck, Casella, Gusseck, Rosander, et. al.) Even though they'd be able to replace them with quality instructors, I can't help to feel that once SCV starts to get things rolling with the new staff in place, they fire someone else or someone else leaves! And now it's happening again with the former-new brass head Nick Williams and (rumor has it) battery head Mike Jackson! This is occurring after, what I think, a great competitive season.... doesn't make much sense to me. What's going on? I hope SCV knows what they are doing, I would hate to see them go through another "restructuring year".... While I absolutely agree that they had a great year against the competition, I will disagree that they had a great year in regards of how much the corps improved and how much they used their own potential, and how the staff got that potential out of them. Initial talent-wise, this was SCV's year. The incoming corps I saw starting in December and leading up until the season started was by all means a championship corps. The members absolutely worked their tails off this year, and somehow they still ended up in 5th, and even then by the slightest of margins. That leads me to wonder...why? Was it the staff? I don't know the reasons for the replacements, just trying to perhaps provide some insight.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullethead Posted September 22, 2007 Share Posted September 22, 2007 Forgive me, but as a Star of Indiana alum, I would like to take this opportunity to let people know about something that I doubt is much realized. At Star, we would normally be transported to Bill Cook's Plantation on the Ohio River to give him a personal "Debut" performance for the season. It just so happened, that one particular year, he had invited Gail Royer to this event. He had requested that Gail speak to us about the value and importance of tradition and integrity in drum corps. For those of us at Star, this was a very enlightening experience, since our "tradition" in a certain sense, was that we had no outwardly obvious "tradition". That is neither right or wrong.....just different, but without question, we completely respected and appreciated his account of things. It was a fantastic experience, to say the least. Gail Royer, as any other human, may have had his faults, but we certainly appreciated his insight and stories, and due to that, it's very easy to realize why SCV is what it is. I have an immense admiration for this organization....perhaps more than any other corps, they seem to take care of their own, by virtue of former members becoming part of their staff and paying it forward. No matter what the result, you can never question their heart, and that is a very much appreciated ideal. SCV may have its ups and downs, but I'm not sure that any other corps is equipped to handle this better than they can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinSop85 Posted September 22, 2007 Share Posted September 22, 2007 September 19, 2007 – Madison, WI - The Madison Scouts have announced that Nick Williams has accepted the role of Brass Caption Supervisor for 2008. Williams is the conductor of the Concert Band and the Director of Athletic Bands at the University of North Texas, as well as a Doctoral candidate at the university. “We’re ecstatic to have Nick Williams supervising the brass staff,” said Executive Director Jeff Spanos. “He is a remarkable teacher and we are extremely confident in his abilities. Coupled with the fact that his values fall directly in line with ours, this is a perfect fit.” Williams has an extensive history in the activity, having marched with the Scouts and taught Southwind, Boston Crusaders, Madison and, most recently, Santa Clara Vanguard, where he served as the corps’ caption head. “When Madison called to ask for my assistance, it was a difficult decision, mostly because of how much time I spent with SCV over the last several years,” stated Williams. “But ultimately, I felt that I could make a difference here and I’m incredibly excited to return to my home corps. There are exciting things happening with the Madison Scouts and I’m pleased to be a part of it.” Prior to this assignment at the University of North Texas, Williams, a two-time honoree of Who’s Who Among America’s Educators, was the Director of Bands at Clark HS in Plano, TX. In his last year of public school teaching, he was honored as the Clark HS Teacher of the Year, a Finalist for the Plano ISD Teacher of the Year, and was also named a “Ross Perot Excellence in Teaching Award” Recipient—an award given to only four secondary teachers per year in the Plano ISD. During his tenure, the band program was a consistent sweepstakes award recipient, and under his direction, the Honors Band was awarded Best in Class or Best in Contest at every festival in which the band performed. Williams is currently working to assemble a staff, which will be announced shortly. This entry was posted on Thursday, September 20th, 2007 at 10:30 am and is filed under Staff, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeffe77 Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 Per SCV website: Chreste named as Brass Caption Manager by Jeff Pearson - October 3, 2007 The Santa Clara Vanguard is pleased to announce that Bob Chreste has joined the staff as Brass Caption Manager. On being offered the position as Brass Caption Manager for SCV, Chreste said "I am honored to work with such a great organization and I look forward to continuing the tradition of excellence for the Santa Clara Vanguard." Bob has been involved with drum corps and marching bands for most of his life, both on and off the field. He was a member of the brass staff of Carolina Crown from 2003-2007. He also marched baritone & euphonium with The Cadets of Bergen County from 1996-1998. In between his time with The Cadets and Carolina Crown, Bob was a performer and conductor in the US touring cast of the Tony and Emmy award winning show, Blast! Bob’s teaching experience includes many top programs in and around Texas: Westfield HS, LD Bell HS, Richland HS, Klein HS, Cypress Falls HS, Berkner HS, Union HS (OK), and Avon HS (IN). Raised in Houston, Texas, Bob attended Westfield High School and then the University of Houston. He received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Houston and his Masters degree in conducting from Sam Houston State University. Currently Bob is the Associate Director of Bands at Cedar Park High School in Cedar Park, Texas. Bob is also an active music arranger and drill writer for various programs throughout the south. His professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Bob takes over the Brass section from Nick Williams who led the brass section for the last 2 years (2006-2007). SCV would like to thank Nick for his efforts and dedication to Vanguard. The 2008 Brass staff will include: Key Poulan - Arranger/Composer Bob Chreste - Caption Manager Donnie Van Doren - Consultant Ron Morrison - Consultant Andre Feagin - Ensemble Specialist Ray Vasquez - High Brass Coordinator Tom Lukowicz - Low Brass Coordinator Derek Gipson - Trumpet Technician Frankie Franqui - Mellophone Technician Keith Hallas - Baritone Technician Stuart Shulman - Tuba Technician Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsb2007 Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 Per SCV website:Chreste named as Brass Caption Manager by Jeff Pearson - October 3, 2007 The Santa Clara Vanguard is pleased to announce that Bob Chreste has joined the staff as Brass Caption Manager. On being offered the position as Brass Caption Manager for SCV, Chreste said "I am honored to work with such a great organization and I look forward to continuing the tradition of excellence for the Santa Clara Vanguard." Bob has been involved with drum corps and marching bands for most of his life, both on and off the field. He was a member of the brass staff of Carolina Crown from 2003-2007. He also marched baritone & euphonium with The Cadets of Bergen County from 1996-1998. In between his time with The Cadets and Carolina Crown, Bob was a performer and conductor in the US touring cast of the Tony and Emmy award winning show, Blast! Bob’s teaching experience includes many top programs in and around Texas: Westfield HS, LD Bell HS, Richland HS, Klein HS, Cypress Falls HS, Berkner HS, Union HS (OK), and Avon HS (IN). Raised in Houston, Texas, Bob attended Westfield High School and then the University of Houston. He received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Houston and his Masters degree in conducting from Sam Houston State University. Currently Bob is the Associate Director of Bands at Cedar Park High School in Cedar Park, Texas. Bob is also an active music arranger and drill writer for various programs throughout the south. His professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Bob takes over the Brass section from Nick Williams who led the brass section for the last 2 years (2006-2007). SCV would like to thank Nick for his efforts and dedication to Vanguard. The 2008 Brass staff will include: Key Poulan - Arranger/Composer Bob Chreste - Caption Manager Donnie Van Doren - Consultant Ron Morrison - Consultant Andre Feagin - Ensemble Specialist Ray Vasquez - High Brass Coordinator Tom Lukowicz - Low Brass Coordinator Derek Gipson - Trumpet Technician Frankie Franqui - Mellophone Technician Keith Hallas - Baritone Technician Stuart Shulman - Tuba Technician Donnie Van Doren gets involved with Vanguard now too huh? That won't hurt. Boy he sure gets around these days, doesn't he? Carolina Crown Blue Stars Santa Clara Vanguard Anybody else I'm missing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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